Cultural Tour of Ghana | 7 nights/8 days

Our tour begins in the early European settlements of the 100 year old city of Accra, capital of Ghana, where modernity fuses with the British colonial section, practice our bargaining skills in Accra’s arts and crafts market as you purchase souvenirs for family and friends. A drive through the forest belt takes us to Kumasi, capital of the former great Ashanti Empire, where we will have a rare chance to see the Ashanti King sitting in state during the Akwasidae festival. A wonderful opportunity to interact with the locals. We travel through to the coast to visit old historical slave dungeons in Cape Coast and Elmina, a stopover at Assin Manso; a town that reminds us of slavery, a dance class, an exciting walk up a canopy 100ft above the forest ground at Kakum National Park, a farewell dinner and then a morning to unwind before your trip back home.

Information

Description

Available Dates

Includes: Transportation, hotel accommodation in 2-3 star hotels, breakfast daily, lunch or dinner as indicated in the itinerary, entry fees and an English or French speaking Tour Guide

Excluded: International flight to/from Ghana, entry visa, travel insurance, meals not indicated in the itinerary, drinks and beverages at meals, things of a personal nature like phone calls, laundry etc, tips for driver, guide and other service providers, any item or service not specifically listed in the itinerary as included

Note: Itinerary and costs are subject to change

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Disclaimer: Date for the celebrations of Akwasidae Festival is correct at the time of publication of this tour. Since organization is done by the office of the Ashanti King, Sunset African Tours shall not be held responsible for cancellations or change of dates of the festival

Day 1: Arrive Accra, Ghana

Arrive at Kotoka Airport. You will be met by a Sunset African Tours representative and transferred to your hotel for a welcome drink and orientation. Spend the rest of the day at leisure unwinding from the long flight. (Note that check out is at 12 noon and check in at 2pm so your rooms may not be ready when you arrive on a morning flight). Welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2: Accra city Tour

This morning, take a tour of the century old capital of Ghana, Accra. Start the day with a drive and walking tour of the colonial section of Accra (Jamestown). Drive through the main street of the colonial section of the city and view the Ussher and James Forts built by the Dutch (1650) and British (1673) respectively and also the Light House which used to guide ships to the Accra Harbour in colonial days. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and museum, a monument dedicated to Ghana’s first post independence President. Later, we visit the intriguing craftsmen at Teshie/Nungua who make fantasy coffins in the shape of vegetables, fruits, cars etc usually depicting the profession of the deceased. For example, a fisherman might be buried in a coffin in the shape of a giant fish. After lunch visit the Arts and Craft market where you will find items from all over Ghana and West Africa. Finally, visit the DuBois center for Pan African culture, a house where Dr. Dubois lived and died. In the evening for those that are up to it, we will visit one of Accra’s most popular Jazz Clubs to enjoy live band music. Overnight in Accra (B & L)

Day 3: Akwasidae Festival, Kumasi

Depart Accra to Kumasi and take a tour of Kumasi, seat of the Ashanti Empire, which was built on similar basis as the Dahomey Empire, i.e. through wars. Visit the Royal Manhyia Palace Museum, home and office of former Ashanti Kings. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. After, we will cross over to the courtyard of the Manhyia Palace to witness the Akwasidae festival. This festival takes place every six weeks. Witness the Ashanti King, Nana Osei-Tutu II, who presides over the Ashanti Kingdom, arrive in his palanquin and then later seated in state whilst all his sub-chiefs come and re-affirm their oath of allegiance to him. The King and all his sub-chiefs come dressed in all their traditional regalia whilst the general public attending the festival wear black and white. The King also uses this day to receive very important guests and gifts. There will be lots of traditional drumming and dancing to grace the occasion. Overnight in Kumasi. (B & L)

Day 4: Kumasi

This morning visit the Cultural Center that features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of brass makers, potters, drum carvers and batik makers. Then take a tour of the Ashanti craft villages to observe craftsmen at work and to purchase souvenir gift items. These villages are Ahwiaa; where woodcarvers produce Ashanti stools, fertility dolls & walking sticks etc, Ntonso where Adinkra cloth is processed and Bonwire where kente cloth is woven. Kente, a very colourful fabric is usually worn on festive and very important occasions like marriage ceremonies, child naming, etc. Overnight in Kumasi (B & D)

Day 5: Kumasi – Assin Manso – Elmina – (Dance Class)

Depart Kumasi to Elmina. Stop over at Assin Manso, where the tombs of two enslaved ancestors from the USA and Jamaica who have been re-interred in Ghana in 1998. Also, visit the “Slave River” which was the last rest stop for slaves on their “one-way” trek to the coast for shipment into slavery. The captives were said to have had their bath at this river and sold off at a market close by. Arrive late afternoon in Elmina and check in to your hotel. Later visit a village near Elmina where we will learn to dance and drum to Ghanaian traditional dance forms. Overnight in Elmina. (B & D)

Day 6: Cape Coast & Elmina Castles

Visit the Cape Coast Castle, and take a tour the infamous slave dungeons, built in 1653 by the Swedes and later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum. The group will watch a documentary titled “Crossroads of Trade, Crossroad of People” at the Cape Coast Castle. After lunch, visit the Elmina Castle, the oldest European monument in Ghana built in 1482 by the Portuguese. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814. In 1871, the fort became a possession of the British Empire. Both the Elmina and Cape Coast Castles have been designated as UNESCO Heritage Sites. After this tour, take a short walk around the colourful fishing harbour to see the fish market and traditional dugout canoes the local people use for their livelihoods. In the evening, get together with your Tour Leader and Guide to discuss/share amongst ourselves experiences so far on the tour. Overnight in Elmina. (B & D)

Day 7: Kakum National Park – Accra

This morning, drive further north of Cape Coast to the Kakum National Park a tropical rainforest in the heart of the Attandaso reserve for an adventurous and breathtaking walk on the ‘Canopy Walkway’. It is composed of 350 meters of suspended bridge and six platforms at a height of 60 meters (100ft). We take a return trip back to Accra. Dressed in African wear, we attend a farewell dinner . Overnight in Accra. (B & D)

Day 8: Free day/Evening departure

Spend the day at leisure, packing or doing your last minute shopping for a late evening departure from Accra back home. (B & D)